Michael T. Seiler
Michael T. Seiler | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Judge of the 435th District Court of Texas | |
| In office June 5, 2008 – February 15, 2016 | |
| Nominated by | Rick Perry |
| Succeeded by | Patty Maginnis |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Michael Thomas Seiler June 18, 1967 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | University of Kansas Creighton University School of Law |
| Signature |  |
Michael T. Seiler (born June 18, 1967) is a former District Judge in Texas who resigned from the bench on February 15, 2016 in order to avoid criminal prosecution for the solicitation of former juror support in his 2016 reelection bid.[1]
Bias in civil commitment program[edit]
Seiler was the judge appointed to oversee the civil commitment program in Texas and all repeat sex offenders were tried for civil commitment in his court. His bias on the issue was well documented and he was forced to recuse himself from several cases.[2] Additionally, Seiler was reprimanded by the Texas state Commission on Judicial Conduct and stripped of his role as the sole judge to oversee the civil commitment program in Texas.[3]
BallotPedia wrote that "On April 24, 2015, Seiler was publicly reprimanded by the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct for his conduct and behavior towards attorneys representing sex offenders in his courtroom. Specifically, the commission found that Seiler "engaged in numerous instances in which he treated attorneys from the State Counsel for Offenders office, as well as one of their expert witnesses, in a manner that was less than patient, dignified and courteous.[4]
Resignation from the bench in lieu of criminal prosecution[edit]
Seiler was forced to resign from his seat on the bench in February 2016 to avoid prosecution for contacting former jurors of his court to support him in his contested reelection bid.[5]
Current law practice[edit]
Seiler currently practices law in The Woodlands, Texas. Although he was forced to resign as a sitting judge, he still advertises himself as "Judge Seiler." His website states the following:
While Judge, he was elected by the Judges of Montgomery County to serve in the role of Administrative Judge. Judge Seiler served two, one year terms. As administrative Judge, Judge Seiler regularly dealt with County Officials and department heads. Judge Seiler presided over Judge meetings, assisted with Court budgets, and set policy for the Montgomery County Judges. Prior to his election to the bench, Judge Seiler served as a District Court Chief with the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office. He was an active trial prosecutor for 14 years, trying hundreds of criminal cases to verdict.
Judge Seiler graduated from Creighton University School of Law in 1992. Prior to that time, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from the University of Kansas. Born in a small farm town in Kansas, he came to Texas after passing the Kansas Bar Exam.
In addition to his extensive criminal law experience, Judge Seiler has testified in front of the Texas Senate and House Appropriations Committees regarding sex crimes in Texas. He also testified in front of the Texas Legislative Budget Board for Texas. Judge Seiler often would meet with Texas legislators regarding the budgetary, administrative and legislating with Texas legislators. As a judge, he presided over criminal, civil, and family law cases. Judge Seiler was the jury trial leader having tried approximately 300 cases to jury verdict.
When Texas physicians and other similar healthcare professionals face criminal misconduct and other high-stakes, career-threatening issues, they turn to Judge Seiler to set things right. He helps clients navigate regulatory and licensing hurdles and return to focusing on their professional work. Multiple clients respect him so much that even individuals he successfully prosecuted and then presided over as a judge later hired Judge Seiler as their lawyer to defend them in criminal matters.
Judge Seiler has resided in The Woodlands, Texas since 1992; and, with his extensive courtroom experience, he is comfortable trying any kind of case in any Texas court. He has appeared in Courtrooms around the State and finds that the respect he gets from current Judges because of his experience greatly enhances his client’s experience in the Courtroom. Judge Seiler has been happily married since 1993 and he is the proud parent of a special needs child with Rett Syndrome and a son attending the University of Kansas.
Seiler's webpage fails to disclose that he was forced to resign in lieu of prosecution. Also, despite being forced to resign, he still holds himself out as "Judge" Seiler.
References[edit]
- ^ "Conroe judge resigns, avoids prosecution over campaign flier to jurors". chron.com. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
- ^ "Montgomery County district court judge's recusal granted in civil commitment cases". yourhoustonnews.com. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
- ^ "Judicial commission reprimands judge over sex offender program". houstonchronicle.com. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
- ^ "State Commission on Judicial Conduct- Michael Seiler Public Reprimand" (PDF). scjc.texas.gov. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ "Voluntary Agreement to Resign from Judicial Office" (PDF).
- ^ "Seiler Mitby Webpage".